> *Addis Ababa, Ethiopia*.*18 August 2011 *– The African Union (AU) and the
> NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, convened a special consultation of
> the Steering Group of the Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day as part of
> a plan to firm up the implementation of activities that will lead up to the
> continent-wide commemoration of the Day on October 30th. The statistics of
> Africa’s food insecurity and compromised nutritional status are staggering
> and well known. Over 200 million Africans are undernourished and an even
> greater proportion suffers from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. ****
>
> However, there is hope that the fight against malnutrition can be won. ***
> The opportunity for intra-African trade of agriculture food commodities
> that are of high value and nutritionally sound is immense. What needs to be
> done at the earliest opportunity is to apply some of the more relevant
> indigenous knowledge systems around the best nutrition, as has been done for
> generations. But more importantly, the time is ripe for scaling up proven
> interventions.Therefore, one of the main goals and objectives of Africa
> Food and Nutrition Security Day is to ensure that information and knowledge
> is transmitted and communicated to all the different levels of consumers –
> policy makers, progamme implementers and all the vulnerable households. **
> **
>
> ** **
>
> Given the challenges of poor research and policy translation into action
> and tangible results coupled by weak capacity in many member states and the
> evidently low investments in nutrition programmes, this can only lead to
> malnutrition. So, the Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day provides an
> opportunity for changing the status quo and ensuring a robust accountability
> mechanism. The Day will showcase the potential for adequately linking
> agriculture and nutrition value chains. Therefore, recognising the richness
> of Africa’s traditional and indigenous nutritious food commodities,
> educating the public on the best utilisation, sharing success stories on
> progress in reducing hunger and malnutrition in Africa is imperative. ****
>
> ** **
>
> While there may be challenges, there clearly are models to be learnt from
> and emulated. This will take a concerted effort across all Government
> sectors, Private sector, Civil Society Organisations, Development partners,
> Institutions of Higher Learning and the average African to commit and
> contribute towards delivering and attaining the best nutrition for all. **
> **
>
> ** **
>
> The commemoration will be at two levels, continentally and at the level of
> member states. The activities will focus on 4 main flagship areas; dietary
> diversity, homegrown school feeding, maternal and child nutrition and food
> fortification. ****
>
> ** **
>
> “If Africa does not invest in food and nutrition security, the consequences
> will be big…” says Boitshepo Bibi Giyose, Senior Advisor for Food and
> Nutrition Security at the NEPAD Agency.****
>
> ** **
>
> “This is the time for Africa, the energy is palpable, the momentum and
> support is promising, hence, let’s seize the DAY! “, she adds
> enthusiastically****
>
> *About the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency*: The NEPAD Planning and
> Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) as the technical body of the African
> Union, works closely with the African Union Commission (AUC), regional
> economic communities, national governments, civil society and the private
> sector to push for programmes and projects that focus on improving the lives
> of the African people. The NEPAD Agency is the leading African development
> expert, able to mobilise the private sector, heads of state and African
> people as a force for positive change, building continental prosperity and
> regional integration. For more information, go to: www.nepad.org ****